Core77

Lay off the horn

By Alison Matheny - May 5, 2008

in Object Culture

Mark-9 double-frame seat

Fresh off 42 miles of asphalt with 30,000 of my closest friends on the Five Boro Bike Tour, my perineum region is wondering if there is something more I can do for comfort than buying heavily padded spandex and maximum surface area bicycle seat. Now I'm aware you should have a painless bottom if you just know how to sit. But the thing is even knowing how to sit won't save you from bone-to-seat discomfort over many a pothole. Upon researching some alternative options, I find that these "horned seats" really are uncomfortable (not to mention sexually discouraging) to even the most professional of cyclists. Luckily, Spongy Wonder has patented a lifetime guaranteed, double-framed, hornless bike seat that transfers pressure to the sit bones. Available in three models dependent on weight, the seat consists of two inwardly and outwardly adjustable foam pads that fit most all road bikes. After 8 hours on a plastic platform, I for one would be eager to give this invention a try. To purchase visit Tesco Shopping.

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WESley Pierce

16 years ago

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As a lifelong cyclist, commuter, tourist, and top category racer, I take issue with these type of saddles, and especially with the "assumption" that it's the saddle that is always the root of the comfort problem. First, fit and position is the key to feeling comfortable on a saddle. The "horned" models we're all familiar with have been tested over the last hundred years, and reflect the anatomical needs to pedal efficiently and quickly. Second, the model shown here is short, making position adjustments during riding impossible, and focuses all the pressure on the glutens maxi mus, where you have a tremendous amount of your muscle power used for riding.

Of course anyone coming off the couch or with limited miles in the legs will experience discomfort as you do need to have some conditioning to ride comfortably, as is the case with most types of exercise!
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Bill Eccles

16 years ago

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Another good one to try is the Topeak Allay. For men, anyway, it's tons more comfortable than a horny seat (so to speak), yet it still gives you the control that having a horn gives. It's relatively inexpensive, too.
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George

16 years ago

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The horn of a bicycle seat is a critical component for bike control while standing, cornering and avoiding obstacles. The ability to grasp the horn with your inner thigh gives the rider control over the whole bike's center of gravity and enables the more subtle angular tweaking required for optimum control.
I would not trust this seat to be as effective, performance wise, as a standard seat. There is a reason bike saddles have horns, despite their well known discomfort aspect.
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Mina

16 years ago

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I've seen these style saddles before. I would suspect that their usefulness is highly dependent on the style of riding, frame geometry, and setup.

This saddle might be ok for cruising around (in a more upright riding position), but I would suggest trying many saddles from different companies. Terry is well known for their ergonomic saddles.
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jmorey

16 years ago

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My dad has always had trouble with bike seats and he bought a seat similar to that one. it was horrible. I tried it too, and couldn't figure out how to balance on it right. It just felt awkward all around.

they say that if you butt hurts from your seat you just need to ride more and your muscles will develop. a lot of people go out and buy the super plush seats, and although they feel good in the start you slowly sink then rubbing your spots even more as you ride. i just got a new schwinn hybrid and the stock seat feels good, i have a wider one i thought of putting on but might just leave it. todays with the first day i commuted to work, and it feels good, and i rode all weekend on it.
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